These are a Few of My Favorite Meals From Around the World
Over the course of my business traveling career, I’ve had to eat out two weeks out of each month, three times a day - not to mention the additional special occasions, vacations, and those nights you just don’t feel like food shopping or cooking for the past eleven years.
It wasn’t my intention to become a foodie, but when you have to eat that many meals outside of your kitchen and you’re trying to maintain your weight, not waste a single calorie, and you grow tired of making mistakes, alas, here I am. I can’t tell you that I’m an Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern, eating extremely exotic foods with no limits - insects and mixed grilled udders aren’t my thing, but I do have a great sense for flavors, food combinations, and quality ingredients. I do believe people should eat whatever they want. I’m not hear to tell you what you shouldn’t have and why you shouldn't have it, but I will share with you some of my most favorite foods and the best places to eat them!
These are a few of my favorite things:
1. Moules Frittes!
The Trio of Mussels in Luxembourg
This combination of crispy, fried, brothy, savory goodness is hard to top. And here are a few places that make them superbly!
- Amerine Restaurant - 5 RUE ALPHONSE WEICKER, C.CIAL AUCHAN, 2721 LUXEMBOURG
- Cafe Stella - 3932 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029 USA
- Sur La Table - French Favorites Cooking Class - Any store near you, USA
- I recently took this class with Chef Donna (who was simply amazing) and the recipe Sur La Table teaches for Steamed Mussels with Fennel is noteworthy and you learn just how simple it is to make at home! Enjoy!
2. STEAK!
Pampas
There are many places in the world to have delicious and amazing steak, but I like the creativity on the plate as much as the quality and cook perfection of the meat. I prefer to eat at local establishments and steer away from chain restaurants, but it feels good to know the places you need to rely on when you’re in a pinch. I include both below:
- The Grey Plume - Local. Sustainable. Delicious - 220 S. 31st Avenue Suit 3101, Omaha, NE 68131 [Yes. Nebraska is worth traveling to for this little gem of a restaurant.]
- Grange - Whimsical classic American cuisine - 31 Westwood Ave, Westwood, NJ 07675, USA [Note: BYOB. Also, try their special appetizers.]
- The Capital Grille - any place near you, USA. [Dirty martinis are my favorite. Add one with blue cheese olives to your meal.]
- Pampas Grill - Farmers Market - 6333 West 3rd Street #540, Los Angeles, CA 90036 USA[Note: the long lines may scare you away. Arrive before you are starving!]
3. Rice and Beans
If you can’t have it at someone’s abuelita’s house, then you can try these on for size:
- Rico Pollo - 55-37 Myrtle Ave, Flushing, NY 11385, USA [get it with the roasted chicken]
- Bossa Nova - 7181 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
4. Spaghetti! It’s not just for breakfast!
- Pistola - 8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- New Corner - 7201 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11228, USA
- Scarpetta at the Montage - 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 [I’ve also been to the Scarpetta at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Vegas. [Equally delicious!]
- The Moose's Tooth [Not for Spaghetti, but the pizza! - It's Italian too] - 3300 Old Seward Hwy. Anchorage, Alaska, 99503 USA
The Moose's Tooth Pizza
Bon Appétit
